I was on my way to catch the bus for the 10.30 mass at the Cathedral when I heard the bells peal for the 10 o’clock service at the small old church of Sant Pere Claver (or in Spanish San Pedro Claver). It sits on a plaza surrounded by the high rise condos and next to a sprawling shopping center. Porto Pi is the old harbor section on the west side of Palma. My hosts have their apartment on top of the steep hill overlooking the port. Today is the feast of the Epiphany. The Three Kings arrive by boat and children put their shoes, filled with beans, on the window sill or balcony, before going to bed and the next morning they find small gifts in their shoes. Very similar to the Saint Nicholas tradition in the Netherlands.
The gospel was on the very first part of Saint John’s Gospel: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Just like at the small church of San Vicente on Ibiza religious recorded music was played before mass and during communion. One of the pieces played was Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine”. We sang this as part of last May 4th concert in Amsterdam.
I have only 3 more days left here on Mallorca. I’ll miss these islands and the friendships made here.
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- A shipmodel in the church of the traditional Lateen rigged fishing boats
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- Padre Miguel Garau of Sant Pere Claver
